Nyquist Wins The 142nd Kentucky Derby
Undefeated Nyquist held off Exaggerator and won the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday by 1 1/4 lengths.
Jockey Mario Gutierrez guided the favored colt to victory in 2:01.31. The 3-year-old horse moved to 8-0, becoming the eighth unbeaten winner in the history of the Derby.
Gun Runner finished third. He held the lead when Nyquist sped past him with a finishing kick that gave him a narrow victory over Exaggerator (video below).
Trained by Doug O'Neill and owned by J. Paul Reddam, Nyquist paid $6.60, $4.80 and $3.60 to win as the 2-1 favorite.
Along with Gutierrez, the trio led I'll Have Another to wins at the 2012 Derby and Preakness, before he was scratched at Belmont with tendonitis.
Exaggerator paid $5.40 and $4.20, with Gun Runner paying $6 to show.
The Preakness Stakes, the next leg of thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown Series, is scheduled for May 21 in Maryland.